Former Disney star Anneliese van der Pol dropped a bombshell in regards to the authentic casting concept for That’s So Raven on the Susceptible Podcast with fellow Disney star Christy Carlson Romano.
On April 24, Anneliese and Christy mentioned the “secrets and techniques” behind how That’s So Raven got here to be. Earlier than she spilled the tea, the singer and actress gave her co-star and Orlando Brown props on the longevity of their careers earlier than the Disney present aired- regardless of racism nearly stopping the gem of a present from taking place.
The 38-year-old actress, who portrayed Chelsea– Raven’s finest pal and sidekick within the sequence, divulged that the mega-network didn’t need Raven-Symoné because the lead. It tracks with Disney’s poisonous repute.
“I don’t know if you understand this story,” she requested Christy– who mentioned she didn’t.
“After I went in to audition, the present was referred to as Completely Psychic,” Anneliese mentioned. “It wasn’t referred to as That’s So Raven in any respect. On the time, Raven wasn’t the lead. She was the sidekick. They had been in search of a lead, and I got here in to audition for the lead. I believe that was form of, like, racism at a low degree — I suppose if that’s even a chance. They couldn’t actually see a Black lady main a present. They solely noticed her as a sidekick.”
The story begins on the 5:48 mark.
Anneliese advised Christy that Raven’s character was initially named Molly and created for a white lady. The Kim Attainable star opined that range was the farthest factor from Disney’s thoughts, stating to Anneliese that they solely cared about cash and never the significance of illustration.
The actress additionally defined that Raven-Symoné’s nailed her audition, sending the corporate’s producers right into a frenzy to rewrite your complete present together with her because the lead character– however the viewers beloved her. That’s So Raven ultimately booted Disney’s top-performing sequence Lizzie McGuire from its primary spot. The sequence lasted 4 seasons (a Disney first) and filmed 100 episodes- 35 greater than the community’s earlier commonplace. Raven-Symoné secured licensing for paraphernalia from the present. She was additionally the primary actress to have spin-offs from her authentic show- Cory’s In The Home and Raven’s House– with Anneliese reprising her function because the star’s goofy bestie Chelsea.
The video shortly went viral on social media, with followers sounding off in regards to the Disney revelation. Followers additionally expressed how they appreciated how Anneliese stored it a buck in regards to the disturbing info.
One individual on Twitter let or not it’s recognized that That’s So Raven made Disney what it was.
The present’s cultural impression and affect additionally didn’t go unnoticed.
She paved the best way for a barrage of different Black Disney expertise like Zendaya, Keke Palmer, Coco Jones, Raven Goodwin and Sidney Parks.
Contemplating the community hit cable in 1983 and wouldn’t have a Black main solid member till 2001, racism seems to be the driving pressure within the firm’s earlier branding.
